Modularized solid state register

Abstract

A modular meter assembly includes replaceable modules for a power supply, a register, a function controlling option circuit and a display of a measuring meter. The modules are provided with mechanical and electrical interconnectors, permitting for simplified assembly, repair, maintenance and replacement. An adaptor frame used with the meter assembly provides for retrofitting the improved modular structure on existing meters, to permit upgrading of the functions performed by the existing meters.

I claim: 
     
       1. In an electrical measurement meter apparatus having a display register, a power supply, a measuring mechanism, and electrical circuitry defining functions performed by the meter apparatus, the improvement comprising: (a) a plurality of modules separately housing said display register, said power supply, said measuring mechanism and said electrical circuitry, respectively;   (b) mechanical interconnecting means on a plurality of said display register, said power supply, said measuring mechanism and said electrical circuitry modules for removably interconnecting said modules to form said meter apparatus; and   (c) electrical interconnecting means on each of said display register, said power supply, said measuring mechanism and said electrical circuitry modules for providing modular, replaceable, electrical interconnections among said modules;   (d) said electrical interconnecting means including pressure means for making electrical contact by mechanical pressure on electrical connectors; and   (e) said mechanical interconnecting means including retaining means for releasably retaining said modules in mechanical connections with one another,   said electrical interconnecting means further comprising central interfacing means, said central interfacing means including a plurality of electrical connectors for connection to a plurality of respective modules, and electrical interconnectors connected between at least two of said electrical connectors,   said central interfacing means comprising separate subsidiary circuit board means for permitting connection of one of said modules to another of said modules,   wherein said electrical connectors are mounted to said subsidiary circuit board means forming said central interfacing means, said electrical connectors comprising at least first and second mounting means for connecting to corresponding respective mounting means on one and another of said modules to permit said another module to be mounted to said one module by connection to said central interfacing means,   wherein said first and second mounting means provided on said subsidiary circuit board forming said central interfacing means include first and second electrical connectors,   said first electrical connector comprising a plurality of first connecting pins extending from said circuit board in a substantially coplanar configuration therewith, and   said second electrical connector comprising a plurality of second connecting pins extending from said circuit board substantially perpendicularly thereto.   
     
     
       2. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry module includes function defining means for defining a function performed by said meter apparatus, thereby permitting a function performed by said meter apparatus to be interchanged by removal of said electrical circuitry module and by insertion of a different electrical circuitry module, defining a different function, into said meter apparatus. 
     
     
       3. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 2, further including register means and wherein said function defining means includes means for causing said measuring mechanism module to measure time of use of electrical power by a user, said means for causing being further operable for causing said register means to store a first value indicating an amount of power consumed by the user and a second value indicating a time during which said amount of power was consumed. 
     
     
       4. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 2, further including register means and wherein said function defining means includes means for causing said measuring mechanism module to measure a peak amount of power consumed by a user at a load throughout a billing cycle, said means for causing being further operable for causing said register means to store a value indicating said peak amount of power consumed by the user independently of a time during which said power was consumed. 
     
     
       5. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said central interfacing means comprises a printed circuit board, and said electrical interconnectors are comprised of conductive strips printed on said printed circuit board. 
     
     
       6. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said display register includes mechanical register means having plural mechanical displays and electrical register means having electronic display means, each housed in a separate module, thereby providing selection of either one, or both, of said mechanical or electrical register means to be included in said meter apparatus. 
     
     
       7. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said power supply module includes means for providing a predetermined output voltage for operating said measuring mechanism module, said electrical circuitry module and said display module from a predetermined input voltage service, thereby providing for said meter apparatus to be usable for a different input voltage service by removing said power supply module and inserting therefor a different power supply module having means for providing said predetermined output voltage from said different input voltage service. 
     
     
       8. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said electrical circuitry module includes function defining means for defining a function performed by said meter apparatus, thereby permitting a function performed by said meter apparatus to be interchanged by removal of said electrical circuitry module and by insertion of a different electrical circuitry module, defining a different function, into said meter apparatus. 
     
     
       9. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 8, further including register means and wherein said function defining means includes means for causing said measuring mechanism module to measure time of use of electrical power by a user, said means for causing being further operable for causing said register means to store a first value indicating an amount of power consumed by the user and a second value indicating a time during which said amount of power was consumed. 
     
     
       10. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 8, further including register means and wherein said function defining means includes means for causing said measuring mechanism module to measure a peak amount of power consumed by a user at a load throughout a billing cycle, said means for causing being further operable for causing said register means to store a value indicating said peak amount of power consumed by the user independently of a time during which said power was consumed. 
     
     
       11. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said separate subsidiary circuit board means is separate from said display register, said power supply, said measuring mechanism and said electrical circuitry modules. 
     
     
       12. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said first mounting means is operable for mounting onto corresponding mounting means on one of said modules and said second mounting means is operable for accepting corresponding mounting means on another of said modules.   
     
     
       13. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first connecting pins extend from an edge of said subsidiary circuit board in said substantially coplanar configuration and said second connecting pins extend from a location on said subsidiary circuit board in said substantially perpendicular configuration.   
     
     
       14. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising conductive strips arranged on said subsidiary printed circuit board for interconnecting predetermined ones of said first and second connecting pins of said first and second electrical connectors. 
     
     
       15. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising adapter means for mounting on said measuring mechanism, thereby to provide mechanical mounting for said mechanical interconnecting means of said modules and to provide retrofitting said modules onto preexisting measuring mechanisms. 
     
     
       16. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said adapter means comprises retaining means for manually mounting and removing said modules thereto independently of mechanical and electrical tools therefor. 
     
     
       17. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said adapter means includes a frame, said frame including a bracket having at least one opening for mounting on to at least one post projecting from said measuring mechanism; said frame further including at least one post projecting therefrom for engaging at least one receptacle provided in one of said modules requiring connection to said measuring mechanism.   
     
     
       18. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said bracket is spaced from said frame towards said measuring mechanism, thereby permitting said at least one of said modules to be spaced apart from said measuring mechanism and permitting other modules to be engaged between said frame and said measuring mechanism. 
     
     
       19. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said frame adapter means further includes latch means connected thereto for engaging projections extending from a further module. 
     
     
       20. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 19 comprising a further bracket extending therefrom for engaging a portion of a sensor for a shutter disk component of said measuring mechanism. 
     
     
       21. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 19 comprising second latch means extending from said frame for engaging openings provided in spring arms connected to still a further module, said spring arms manually operable for disengaging said still further module from said second latch means. 
     
     
       22. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said frame further comprises spring means attached thereto for springing engagement of another of said modules thereto, said frame including a clearance therein for capturing projections from said another of said modules. 
     
     
       23. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said spring means includes manually operable tab means for manually releasing said another of said modules from engagement with said frame. 
     
     
       24. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 23 comprising latch means extending from said frame for engaging openings provided in spring arms connectd to still a further module, said spring arms manually operable for disengaging said still further module from said latch means. 
     
     
       25. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 22 comprising a latch means extending from said frame for engaging openings provided in spring arms connected to still a further module, said spring arms manually operable for disengaging said still further module from said latch means. 
     
     
       26. An improved meter apparatus as recited in claim 22 wherein said frame adapter means further includes latch means connected thereto for engaging projections extending from a further module.